No Pasaran! - Republican Spain 1938

[General War]

Part Twenty-Three



Greece


After capitulation of Yugoslavia, strong Italian formations were assembling in south Albania, preparing to attack our positions. Much weaker German forces arrived in south Yugoslavia. Part of the border was fortified, but we did not have enough time to extend the fortified line along the entire front.
Seven divisions that we had in Greece were not enough to hold off the enemy, therefore we started to retreat to Astakos-Katerini line. It was shorter, and the terrain was of good defensive value.

The plan was to hold the Italians on our left flank, and launch a counterattack against Germans on the right. An amphibious assault was to be made in Albania, and these troops were to link up with the right flank, cutting off and destroying most of the enemy troops in Greece.

Operation plan


Astakos-Katerini line

Constantly harassed by the enemy from ground and the air, our troops reached new defensive line. The left flank was soon under heavy attack by Italian troops but it was holding. Much of Italian troops were armored divisions, which didn’t do well in the mountains of Greece.

Instead of attacking head on against our right flank, Germans turned to east, towards Salonica. We immediately counterattacked, cut their supply lines and destroyed the enemy.

The situation was not so good on left flank, where enemy increased its pressure. Constant air attacks were causing heavy casualties on our side. Almost entire Spanish air force was in Greece, but as it was proven before, it was no match to the Italians. Finally, our defensive line collapsed and enemy tanks poured through the gap. Once again, our forces were in retreat.


Landing

At the same time, on 14th November, Spanish 8th Corps landed on beaches north and south of Tirane, Albania. After a short battle the city was captured. Our beachhead came soon under attack, but the enemy forces were weak and were beaten off.
Capturing the main enemy airfield in the area considerably reduced number of enemy sorties and brought a relief to our troops.

Operations in Greece, 18th October – 16th November 1942

Europe, November 1942

 

[GrenadierSchube]

uh oh! those silly italians, gotta cut them off while there is still time before reinforcements come from the north!

 

[Baltasar]

The Italians should be able to easily contain your beachhead in Albania while still pushing into Greece, unless their logisitcs is killing more of them than you do

 

[General War]

If I cut off the troops in Greece, I think I could handle them. With a little logistic bombing, they'll be soon out of supply.
My main concern are the troops coming from north. I have no clue where they are and what is their strength.

 

[Patukov]

How many russian divisions are in that pocket in the Baltic?And i sugest that you reload as USSR for a week or two.

 

[General War]

How many russian divisions are in that pocket in the Baltic?

19, and not in very good shape. Germans will probably destroy the pocket.

And i sugest that you reload as USSR for a week or two.

I may do that, but I'm afraid of what would the AI do with my army during that time.

 

[Murmurandus]

Mmm, those Italians seem to be a tough cookie... Let's hope the plan works out fine...

 

[General War]

Mmm, those Italians seem to be a tough cookie... Let's hope the plan works out fine...

So far so good. An update will come later.

 

[No idea]

In real WW2 Germany would probably have occupied Vichy France if the situation in Spain had become so difficult. After all they did just that when the Vichyites started to collaborate with the Allies. They probably would have also done it if Vichy had been in the way of the Wehrmacht like in your game.

You would be in a world of hurt if Germany did that in your game... any chance the AI might do it? Someone should write an event or two

I don´t understand why AI didn´t get military access from Vichy (well, perhaps it tried, I don´t know), as that would clearly have been the end of all resistance. Other probably stupid things on part of the AI were not protecting its infrastructure. This cost Germany the battle and a lot of divisions. AI should certainly be a priority in future patches or expansions.
Anyway, I think it was a great job¡. I would have bet you were doomed¡

 

[General War]

I don´t understand why AI didn´t get military access from Vichy (well, perhaps it tried, I don´t know), as that would clearly have been the end of all resistance. Other probably stupid things on part of the AI were not protecting its infrastructure. This cost Germany the battle and a lot of divisions. AI should certainly be a priority in future patches or expansions.

AI did put some effort in protecting the infrastructure, but not nearly as it should have. It seemed that most of their interceptors were flying over the front.
I agree about the Vichy.

Anyway, I think it was a great job¡. I would have bet you were doomed¡

 

[General War]

Part Twenty-Four



The enemy retreats

Our landing in Albania caused panic in enemy lines. All attacks against our left flank had stopped, and most of enemy troops started to retreat northwards. As they retreated, our troops advanced behind them. Some of our units were redeployed to the right flank, where we started to advance to west, meeting only light resistance.


Beachhead

Expecting a counterattack, our troops on the beachhead retreated to Tirane, to dig in and prepare for a defense. Their task was now to hold the port until the arrival of our troops from the right flank. Also, some of our reserves in Spain were getting ready to be transported to the Balkans.

We didn’t have to wait long for the enemy attack, which first came from the south. Soon, strong enemy formations started to arrive from north, attacking immediately. Enemy airplanes were constantly dropping bombs on our positions, causing heavy casualties.


Closing the pocket

While the enemy focused its attention on Tirane, our right flank continued to advance. After entering south Yugoslavia, we encountered stronger resistance, but it was relatively easily overcome. On 21st November, seven days after the landing, forward elements of 11th Corps reached Albanian border and linked up with our troops defending Tirane.

Operations, November - December


Ten enemy divisions were trapped inside the pocket, among them a number of top quality German panzer divisions. These were considerable forces, and we knew that it won’t be easy to eliminate them. To make it easier, we started to bomb their supply and fuel depots, despite strong presence of Italian fighter planes.

Front tine, 7th December 1942


Other fronts

The German advance in Soviet Union seems to be slowing down. We can only hope that Soviets will find the strength to completely stop the enemy and launch a counteroffensive.
At the same time, Soviets are starting to have problems in Far East. Their advance in Korea came to a halt, Japanese occupied Sakhalin and used it to launch an amphibious assault on mainland Asia. There is also a large territory in Manchukuo under guerrilla control.

Far East


British had finally defeated Italians in East Africa. There are a few provinces still nominally under Italian control, but these are of no importance. Perhaps British will now turn their attention to Europe. It has been more than a year since the last failed Allied invasion, as if they lost all interest in war against Germany.

Europe, December 1942

 

[NACBEAST]

Hehe, it would appear that Greece isn't as poor a front as you previously thought it would be. Which is good: the more ways you force the Axis to fight you, the further you spread out their troops, the weaker and weaker all of their fronts eventually become.

Here's hoping to see a liberated Yugoslavia soon.

 

[loki100]

Hehe, it would appear that Greece isn't as poor a front as you previously thought it would be. Which is good: the more ways you force the Axis to fight you, the further you spread out their troops, the weaker and weaker all of their fronts eventually become.

of course the exact reverse could also become true ... depends me guesses on how well the Soviets tie up the Germans as it looks like the UK has retreated to its favoured position - ignore the rest of Europe and just make a bit of mischief but not to really get involved on the long term?

but I remain utterly impressed at how you've handled some really tricky situations and to start a public AAR with Republican Spain in 1938 is a real act of bravery

 

[GrenadierSchube]

indeed seeing the spaniards hold as they have is quite the feet hopefully you can expand their empire and bring about the glory of the old days!


or just frantically fight for your survival :rofl:

 

[Gladiator]

Maybe, Germans are out of manpower too, and that helps Soviets very much.

Your tactics looks very effective. You could repeat those encirclements over and over until Axis is out of troops...

How is situation in southern Italy? After destroying those italian divisions in Greece, you could land at Taranto, to try a new encirclement.

Or you could try a landing at Bordeaux, to encircle the German divisions on southern France... And then, straight to Berlin!

 

[General War]

Hehe, it would appear that Greece isn't as poor a front as you previously thought it would be. Which is good: the more ways you force the Axis to fight you, the further you spread out their troops, the weaker and weaker all of their fronts eventually become.

Indeed, Greece turned out to be my largest campaign outside Spain. But with the first sign of major trouble, I won't hesitate to evacuate my troops. In the meantime, I hope my effort gives a small contribution to the final victory. If only my friends would know how to take advantage of it.

Here's hoping to see a liberated Yugoslavia soon.

Wishful thinking.

of course the exact reverse could also become true ... depends me guesses on how well the Soviets tie up the Germans as it looks like the UK has retreated to its favoured position - ignore the rest of Europe and just make a bit of mischief but not to really get involved on the long term?

I'm inclined to believe your predicaments may become true. Even if the Germans don't intervene, even if I managed to win the current battle, Italians will recover from their losses, but i won't for a long time. My army in Greece is already in poor strength and my longtime presence there is very questionable.

I'd really wish that US and UK invade Europe...

but I remain utterly impressed at how you've handled some really tricky situations and to start a public AAR with Republican Spain in 1938 is a real act of bravery

Well, so far the luck was on my side.

 

[General War]

indeed seeing the spaniards hold as they have is quite the feet hopefully you can expand their empire and bring about the glory of the old days!


or just frantically fight for your survival :rofl:

The Spaniards have definitely showed the Axis they are no pushovers. And if things come to a bitter end, no one would be able to say they didn't put up a good fight.

Maybe, Germans are out of manpower too, and that helps Soviets very much.

With so much fighting going on, I'd be surprised if anyone had any manpower left.

Your tactics looks very effective. You could repeat those encirclements over and over until Axis is out of troops...

I'll do my best.

How is situation in southern Italy? After destroying those italian divisions in Greece, you could land at Taranto, to try a new encirclement.

It's a stalemate. Italy has a lot of divisions stationed there which doesn't give me any chance of doing anything but hold my position. And they are doing exactly the same.

Or you could try a landing at Bordeaux, to encircle the German divisions on southern France... And then, straight to Berlin!

I had such plans. Landing at Bordeaux I mean, not marching to Berlin. It is feasible actualy. The front would be very narrow and on a river bank. In case of a major Allied invasion I may do it...

 

[Warspite_TW]

I had such plans. Landing at Bordeaux I mean, not marching to Berlin. It is feasible actualy. The front would be very narrow and on a river bank. In case of a major Allied invasion I may do it...

May I suggest to postpone this operation until you get into the Allies? And then, you should start the invasion yourself. Sometimes the US or UK in this situation will lend you some expeditionary forces. And even if the invasion will not succed, you will still hold their exp. forces.
It happened to me twice in 1.3.

 

[Murmurandus]

The plan is working. Now if only the allies would invade somewhere...

 

[General War]

May I suggest to postpone this operation until you get into the Allies? And then, you should start the invasion yourself. Sometimes the US or UK in this situation will lend you some expeditionary forces. And even if the invasion will not succed, you will still hold their exp. forces.
It happened to me twice in 1.3.

I'm currently in no position to launch another major operation, so I'll have to wait. It's a good idea to wait until I'm accepted to Allies. An expeditionary forces would be more than welcome.

The plan is working. Now if only the allies would invade somewhere...

The encirclement phase was almost too easy. If I didn't play against AI, I'd suspect a trap.